Michael Ciamarra

Michael CiamarraMichael Ciamarra, vice president of the Alabama Policy Institute, is a widely published columnist and a member of the American Legislative Exchange Council’s National Task Force on Tax Policy. He is an advisor to the National Center for Health Transformation.

Michael writes and recommends legislation to Alabama’s Legislature through Legislative Agenda, an Alabama Policy Institute publication. He serves as the Policy Institute’s legislative liaison to members of the Alabama Legislature and the Executive branch of state government. He was appointed a Commissioner to serve on the governor’s 2003 Citizens Constitution Revision Commission.

Michael was former Governor Fob James’ policy advisor and legislative director. He is an international chess master having played in tournaments around the world and a much sought after chess coach. Michael is a former engineer with Martin Marietta Aerospace and a graduate of Tulane University School of Engineering


Monday, July 20, 2009

What Makes Medicine "Socialized?" 

By Michael Ciamarra

Filed As:  Health Care

What makes medicine "socialized?" That's a question Michael Tanner and I discussed in an op-ed published by the Birmingham News. Here's an excerpt:

A recent more »»

Monday, June 8, 2009

Health Care Debate in Alabama 

Filed As:  General

As in every state, there has been a flurry of activity also here in Alabama from the "grassroots" advocates of President Obama's public health care plan. I have noticed in Alabama how remarkably disciplined their messages has been through letters to the editor to radio talk shows. Language, ... more »»

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Alabama Passes Transparency Legislation - Checkbook online 

by Michael Ciamarra

Filed As:  General

Literally, on the last day of the 2009 regular session of the Alabama Legislature was passed legislation creating a searchable database of all state expenditures, state grants and state contracts.

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Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Green Conservatism in Alabama 

by Michael Ciamarra

Filed As:  Environment, General

Predictably, the left environmental hysterics were on display today with all sorts of warmed-over Al Gore talking points. No matter, we held our own in Alabama. We framed a conversation around 'green conservatism.' We pointed out that the left's murky assertions, biases, resorts to litigation, ... more »»

Saturday, March 28, 2009

Say What in Alabama? Tenured Property Right? 

by Michael Ciamarra

Filed As:  Budget and Tax, General

A state senator caught up with me in the halls of the Alabama Legislature and said he wanted to share something with me that he thought I would find troubling. "How would you define property rights?" he asked. Somewhat taken aback by that question, I pulled myself together and in the finest ... more »»

Saturday, March 14, 2009

Alabama's largest daily opposes Card Check Job Killer 

by Michael Ciamarra

Filed As:  General

While I never had any doubt of where Alabama's two US Senators stood on Big Labor's job killing Employee Free Choice Act card check sham, it's nice to see Alabama's largest daily engaged editorially.

Today's Birmingham News outlined compelling reasons to reject this job ... more »»

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

4 Questions to Ask on " State Stimulus" 

by Michael Ciamarra

Filed As:  General

Alabama is blessed to have what is called the Alabama Trust Fund (ATF). The ATF is a savings account fund derived from offshore oil and gas revenues. The intent was to protect this fund from the profligate spending by the Legislature. Mind you, not all of them want to go to this fund - but a great many ... more »»

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Fairness in health insurance premiums for public sector - heaven's no! 

By Michael Ciamarra

Filed As:  General

I had learned long ago that when the bureaucracy " doth protest too much" the proposal that has grabbed their attention is usually a very good one. Such is the case with Alabama State Rep. Jaime Ison's (R-Mobile) outstanding bill to make public and education employees health insurance ... more »»

Monday, March 2, 2009

Bring your Rolodex and Let's Sue Someone 

By Michael Ciamarra

Filed As:  General

You've seen those hideous 30-second commercials with the snappy jingles - "Let's sue someone. Call Smith and Jones 555 5555 Call Smith and Jones at 555 5555." Well not quite those lyrics - if I used a real example I might be sued!

Yes, the ambulance chasers advertising their ... more »»

Sunday, March 1, 2009

Alabama Policy - Card-Check Update 

By Michael Ciamarra

Filed As:  Employment

Alabama is a right-to-work state. The misnamed Employee Free Choice Act is now, in a strange inversion, is no longer a secret in Alabama. The cat is out of the bag - and the union bosses tremble.

Senate Joint Resolution 25, sponsored by State Sen. Scott Beason (R-Gardendale) passed unanimously (!) ... more »»

Total Posts: 20 [1] 2 »

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